TREATMENT of HYPERKALEMIA
Questions and Answers
Sodium polystyrene sulfate - answer For pts. with hyperkalemia, kayexelate (______
______ ______) may be given orally or rectally, and it works in the colon to bind
potassium.
NO - answer Even though kayexelate (sodium polystyrene sulfate) takes several
hours to work, should a pt. experiencing elevated K levels with EKG changes still use
this drug?
Kayexelate - answer ______ (sodium polystyrene sulfate) works best for pts. with
borderline elevated K levels like 5.6, 5.7, 5.8.
Maintenance - answer Kayexelate (sodium polystyrene sulfate) may also be used for
______ purposes such can be seen in pts. on dialysis with high K levels.
Concentrate - answer One can now change the "back" or the "______" (the way in
which pts. are dialyzed) to remove more or less of certain electrolytes. For example, if a
pt. with an elevated K level comes in and they need to be dialyzed, the nurse/physician
can adjust the way that the pt. is dialyzed to try and remove more K.
Acute - answer Dialysis is not used for ______ treatment of hyperkalemia that might
include an elevated K of around 6.5 mEq/L. This is because it would simply take too
much time to hook the pt. up for dialysis; time during which arrhythmias could develop
and cause ample damage.
IV insulin, Dextrose (D50%) - answer What two drugs are used for acute treatment of
hyperkalemia?
5-10, ampule - answer Physicians will often prescribe ______ units of insulin and an
______ of D50% for acute treatment of hyperkalemia. This combo is highly effective at
lowering K levels.
Calcium chloride - answer This drug is mainly used for stabilization of EKG changes
when elevated K has already started causing arrhythmias.
Sodium bicarbonate - answer This drug is used mainly to increase the cellular
uptake of serum potassium.
Questions and Answers
Sodium polystyrene sulfate - answer For pts. with hyperkalemia, kayexelate (______
______ ______) may be given orally or rectally, and it works in the colon to bind
potassium.
NO - answer Even though kayexelate (sodium polystyrene sulfate) takes several
hours to work, should a pt. experiencing elevated K levels with EKG changes still use
this drug?
Kayexelate - answer ______ (sodium polystyrene sulfate) works best for pts. with
borderline elevated K levels like 5.6, 5.7, 5.8.
Maintenance - answer Kayexelate (sodium polystyrene sulfate) may also be used for
______ purposes such can be seen in pts. on dialysis with high K levels.
Concentrate - answer One can now change the "back" or the "______" (the way in
which pts. are dialyzed) to remove more or less of certain electrolytes. For example, if a
pt. with an elevated K level comes in and they need to be dialyzed, the nurse/physician
can adjust the way that the pt. is dialyzed to try and remove more K.
Acute - answer Dialysis is not used for ______ treatment of hyperkalemia that might
include an elevated K of around 6.5 mEq/L. This is because it would simply take too
much time to hook the pt. up for dialysis; time during which arrhythmias could develop
and cause ample damage.
IV insulin, Dextrose (D50%) - answer What two drugs are used for acute treatment of
hyperkalemia?
5-10, ampule - answer Physicians will often prescribe ______ units of insulin and an
______ of D50% for acute treatment of hyperkalemia. This combo is highly effective at
lowering K levels.
Calcium chloride - answer This drug is mainly used for stabilization of EKG changes
when elevated K has already started causing arrhythmias.
Sodium bicarbonate - answer This drug is used mainly to increase the cellular
uptake of serum potassium.
